Expecting moms with a toddler

For those of you pregnant again, how is your first child reacting/dealing with your pregnancy and the idea of having a new sibling soon? My 2 1/2 year old is taking it surprisingly well, even though I am not as much fun as I used to be. This morning she told DH that he needed to "be careful with mommy, she has a baby in her belly." Too cute!

For those of you SAHMs, what do you do to keep your toddler entertained during the day? I am running out of ideas. I will take her to the park a couple times a week, but I seem to get bored more easily than usual, i guess because I'd rather be at home. I will try take her to a friends house once a week to. Other than that, she watches twice as much tv and is bored half the time. I feel so bad sometimes because I have no energy in the morning and really have to push myself to get dressed and go somewhere. Everything just seems boring and unimportant to me (I guess because i'm pregnant).

For those of you pregnant again, how is your first child reacting/dealing with your pregnancy and the idea of having a new sibling soon? My 2 1/2 year old is taking it surprisingly well, even though I am not as much fun as I used to be. This morning she told DH that he needed to "be careful with mommy, she has a baby in her belly." Too cute!

For those of you SAHMs, what do you do to keep your toddler entertained during the day? I am running out of ideas. I will take her to the park a couple times a week, but I seem to get bored more easily than usual, i guess because I'd rather be at home. I will try take her to a friends house once a week to. Other than that, she watches twice as much tv and is bored half the time. I feel so bad sometimes because I have no energy in the morning and really have to push myself to get dressed and go somewhere. Everything just seems boring and unimportant to me (I guess because i'm pregnant).

I am the same way. My DS will be two next month and I feel like now that I am pregnant again he watches wayyyy too much tv. Mornings are bad for me and I never have enough energy to get up, get dressed and go do something!

We have a mini playground right behind the house but I seem to get really bored just letting him go play. lol.

He could care less right now about the baby in my belly. He will go from putting his hand on my belly and saying baby to trying to tackle me. Might the the difference between boys and girls lol He does however LOVE hearing the heartbeat at the drs office. Every tiem he sees the doppler come out he gets real quiet and when the heart beats loud he gets a huge grin on his face!

He is a very well adjusted little boy. He is very gentle with children younger then him and is very sweet to babies so I know he will be a good big brother!

I am the same way. My DS will be two next month and I feel like now that I am pregnant again he watches wayyyy too much tv. Mornings are bad for me and I never have enough energy to get up, get dressed and go do something!

We have a mini playground right behind the house but I seem to get really bored just letting him go play. lol.

He could care less right now about the baby in my belly. He will go from putting his hand on my belly and saying baby to trying to tackle me. Might the the difference between boys and girls lol He does however LOVE hearing the heartbeat at the drs office. Every tiem he sees the doppler come out he gets real quiet and when the heart beats loud he gets a huge grin on his face!

He is a very well adjusted little boy. He is very gentle with children younger then him and is very sweet to babies so I know he will be a good big brother!

I put on music and he dance dance dances, as well as sings, plays the guitar, drums and has me help get his band going. Its so much fun!

I also pull out the crayons and paper and let him go at it with coloring. FYI if your LO hasn't experience crayons and is still in the lets eat everything stage try colored pencils first thats what we did, however we introduced coloring at 1. (I am a physco mom/teacher and always want to cry when a kinder enters my class and has never colored and lacks fine motor skills)

Instead of TV we have a select # of educational type videos that we put on Little Eienstiens, celebrations of colors, Dr. Seuss Movies (not the hollywood ones the actual ones that Dr.Seuss himself helped produced)

I put on music and he dance dance dances, as well as sings, plays the guitar, drums and has me help get his band going. Its so much fun!

I also pull out the crayons and paper and let him go at it with coloring. FYI if your LO hasn't experience crayons and is still in the lets eat everything stage try colored pencils first thats what we did, however we introduced coloring at 1. (I am a physco mom/teacher and always want to cry when a kinder enters my class and has never colored and lacks fine motor skills)

Instead of TV we have a select # of educational type videos that we put on Little Eienstiens, celebrations of colors, Dr. Seuss Movies (not the hollywood ones the actual ones that Dr.Seuss himself helped produced)

My son will be three in February and he seems ok with the idea but who knows what will happen when his brother gets here in March?!?

He goes to preschool three mornings a week and that helps a lot. He stays until 2 on Wednesdays and has lunch at school, and I'm thinking about adding Monday or Friday as well. On off days, we rub errands or shop it go to the park if the weather is nice. I also have both sets of grandparents in a 10-mile radius and even my husband's grandmother, so we go visiting a lot. We stay busy! It's easier now that I am feeling better.

My son will be three in February and he seems ok with the idea but who knows what will happen when his brother gets here in March?!?

He goes to preschool three mornings a week and that helps a lot. He stays until 2 on Wednesdays and has lunch at school, and I'm thinking about adding Monday or Friday as well. On off days, we rub errands or shop it go to the park if the weather is nice. I also have both sets of grandparents in a 10-mile radius and even my husband's grandmother, so we go visiting a lot. We stay busy! It's easier now that I am feeling better.

Lol! Krisss, I am the same way. I went from teaching to being a stay at home mom and do all those things too. I also just bought some pipe cleaners for my 2 year old to string cherrios or pasta to streghten fine motor skills. He also loves finger painting, crayola makes some, that wipes up easily and washes out of everything. Some more ideas for the original poster are reading together. He loves ones where he can make the sound effects. I also put all the non breakable dishes down low and he loves to "help" me with cleaning the kitchen. I also talk to him about what he is watching when he does watch t.v. I ask things like what are they doing? Are they sad, mad, happy, ect., oh no! Why did they do that?Sorry for the long post. I know that it isn't always easy but hopefully you can find activities that work for you and your toddler. Good Luck!

Lol! Krisss, I am the same way. I went from teaching to being a stay at home mom and do all those things too. I also just bought some pipe cleaners for my 2 year old to string cherrios or pasta to streghten fine motor skills. He also loves finger painting, crayola makes some, that wipes up easily and washes out of everything. Some more ideas for the original poster are reading together. He loves ones where he can make the sound effects. I also put all the non breakable dishes down low and he loves to "help" me with cleaning the kitchen. I also talk to him about what he is watching when he does watch t.v. I ask things like what are they doing? Are they sad, mad, happy, ect., oh no! Why did they do that?Sorry for the long post. I know that it isn't always easy but hopefully you can find activities that work for you and your toddler. Good Luck!

DS is only 14 months, so he doesn't have a clue about the baby. He thinks he should be outside anytime he isn't sleeping or eating, so that is starting to wear me out sometimes. Sent him out with his dad this afternoon!

He has yet to notice tv, other than when DH was watching some CSI type show the other night. They called a woman a whore, and of course, DS repeated it. If they'd called her a saint, he wouldn't have noticed at all!

I actually go to work 3 days a week to take it easy, even though I have a very busy job on my feet!

DS is only 14 months, so he doesn't have a clue about the baby. He thinks he should be outside anytime he isn't sleeping or eating, so that is starting to wear me out sometimes. Sent him out with his dad this afternoon!

He has yet to notice tv, other than when DH was watching some CSI type show the other night. They called a woman a whore, and of course, DS repeated it. If they'd called her a saint, he wouldn't have noticed at all!

I actually go to work 3 days a week to take it easy, even though I have a very busy job on my feet!

I am a huge stickler for learning as well. I went from a Sports and Fitness Coach for preschool/daycare children (ages 2-5) to being a SAHM. And when I had 5 year old that couldn't do the fine motor stuff I would get angry at the parents! My DS is still a little young for the classes that I taught so he can't do much but we will definitely be working on everything!

I did forget to add that we do a lot of coloring. Not just on paper. We have window crayons and as we are learning our colors he draws all over our sliding glass door!

Crayola does make wonderful finger paints that come off of everything! I will gate us into our kitchen and we will paint with our feet! DS thinks that is the coolest thing ever!

I am a huge stickler for learning as well. I went from a Sports and Fitness Coach for preschool/daycare children (ages 2-5) to being a SAHM. And when I had 5 year old that couldn't do the fine motor stuff I would get angry at the parents! My DS is still a little young for the classes that I taught so he can't do much but we will definitely be working on everything!

I did forget to add that we do a lot of coloring. Not just on paper. We have window crayons and as we are learning our colors he draws all over our sliding glass door!

Crayola does make wonderful finger paints that come off of everything! I will gate us into our kitchen and we will paint with our feet! DS thinks that is the coolest thing ever!

My DD is 2 yrs old and so far thinks the baby idea is neat and interesting.as for things to do during the week, I try to get her out of the house 4 out of 5 days during the week. She's at mothers day out for one day, gymnastics another day, then I try to take her to the free story time at the local library one day, MOPS is one day every other week, some of the days I'll rotate with grocery shoppping, we also have a local childrens museum, and and mcdonalds inside play area. Hope that helps with some ideas! I find that when I have no energy, once we r out and about my energy level goes up. Good luck!

My DD is 2 yrs old and so far thinks the baby idea is neat and interesting.as for things to do during the week, I try to get her out of the house 4 out of 5 days during the week. She's at mothers day out for one day, gymnastics another day, then I try to take her to the free story time at the local library one day, MOPS is one day every other week, some of the days I'll rotate with grocery shoppping, we also have a local childrens museum, and and mcdonalds inside play area. Hope that helps with some ideas! I find that when I have no energy, once we r out and about my energy level goes up. Good luck!

I have a 15 month old, so there's no concept of "baby" getting through to him :P Luckily, so far, he hasn't gotten bored by our normal play, reading, walks, and family visits. I'm not a SAHM, but DH is home with him Tues-Fri, I'm here Sat and Sun, and MIL is here Mondays, so I think just switching up his playmates helps us! DH was off this weekend, so we've both been here to entertain him and it was WONDERFUL! Too bad it's back to work for both of us tomorrow.

I have a 15 month old, so there's no concept of "baby" getting through to him :P Luckily, so far, he hasn't gotten bored by our normal play, reading, walks, and family visits. I'm not a SAHM, but DH is home with him Tues-Fri, I'm here Sat and Sun, and MIL is here Mondays, so I think just switching up his playmates helps us! DH was off this weekend, so we've both been here to entertain him and it was WONDERFUL! Too bad it's back to work for both of us tomorrow.

Hi Ericamn- being teachers turned into stay at home moms we must all think alike!! I have worked on fine motor skills through art, cheerio necklaces, and play doh. We try to do crafts, we cook together (she pours,stirs,etc) and she likes to play educational games on my iPhone and computer. I just joined a mom group too so hopefully soon we will go on some play dates. Plus we go to the park, library( even though I have TONS of books from teaching primary grades). I am also starting "themed weeks" with pumpkins, leaves, etc. Can you tell I miss teaching????? I actually will go back to work next year if I find a job but for now I love staying at home.

My daughter does like to watch tv too but she is also very interested in playing with me or imaginary play on her own. Although I do alot of things with her I am always in need of good ideas too so pass them along!!

Hi Ericamn- being teachers turned into stay at home moms we must all think alike!! I have worked on fine motor skills through art, cheerio necklaces, and play doh. We try to do crafts, we cook together (she pours,stirs,etc) and she likes to play educational games on my iPhone and computer. I just joined a mom group too so hopefully soon we will go on some play dates. Plus we go to the park, library( even though I have TONS of books from teaching primary grades). I am also starting "themed weeks" with pumpkins, leaves, etc. Can you tell I miss teaching????? I actually will go back to work next year if I find a job but for now I love staying at home.

My daughter does like to watch tv too but she is also very interested in playing with me or imaginary play on her own. Although I do alot of things with her I am always in need of good ideas too so pass them along!!

Buladybug :-) I now do daycare and am planning lots of crafts and holiday activities for the kiddos. This week we are painting pumpkins, making autumn color necklaces, making maskes for pretend play, and making ghosts with our feet and white paint. I can't afford daycare while staying home and try to do a lot with the kids and I am really working on those social skills. I was planning to go back to work too! However, now that I have another one on the way and my little daycare is finally doing well, I may not for a couple more years. I would also love to hear some of your ideas!!

Buladybug :-) I now do daycare and am planning lots of crafts and holiday activities for the kiddos. This week we are painting pumpkins, making autumn color necklaces, making maskes for pretend play, and making ghosts with our feet and white paint. I can't afford daycare while staying home and try to do a lot with the kids and I am really working on those social skills. I was planning to go back to work too! However, now that I have another one on the way and my little daycare is finally doing well, I may not for a couple more years. I would also love to hear some of your ideas!!

I also run a daycare from my home, so I have three 18mo olds, and three or four 3 year olds. We go for walks around the neighorhood, to parks, play in the backyard, do baking, crafts, coloring, read stories, build blocks, sing and dance, and be silly. My son is 18mo and has no idea about the baby yet... but I organized one of the areas as "housekeeping" and bought a couple of babies with highchairs, cradle, and stroller. He often snuggles the baby and we teach him to be gentle (Its cute because when we say "gentle" he does a high pitch coo and pets the baby or animals gently). No TV here though, kids don't have access to one.

I also run a daycare from my home, so I have three 18mo olds, and three or four 3 year olds. We go for walks around the neighorhood, to parks, play in the backyard, do baking, crafts, coloring, read stories, build blocks, sing and dance, and be silly. My son is 18mo and has no idea about the baby yet... but I organized one of the areas as "housekeeping" and bought a couple of babies with highchairs, cradle, and stroller. He often snuggles the baby and we teach him to be gentle (Its cute because when we say "gentle" he does a high pitch coo and pets the baby or animals gently). No TV here though, kids don't have access to one.

What about Play-doh? My son also really loved puzzles. They have some fun kinds with magnets and you can use a little pole with a magnet to pull up the pieces.

Idk, my son was always a good self entertainer, but my nephews are complete opposites. They are always asking to watch tv, movies, play video games and when not doing these things they get bored and start fighting. Of course now my son is a little older he gets his fair share of video games, but I have cut way back the amount of tv we watch. It is almost never on except when dh is home. He is a tv junkie and it drives me insane.

I have to say not to take it too hard on parents w/kids and their motor skills lacking. My son never liked coloring, and didn't stay on play doh for long unless he was chucking it all over the floor. He is also developmentally delayed and it was always hard for me feeling my son was behind but not being able to force him to do things to help. So sometimes it is hard to understand the situation people are in. I do appreciate the other ideas though. I never thought to try the cereal necklaces etc, and we did a little bit of painting but not very much of that. So these are good things to try for next child. I also heard letting your child have some scissors and paper to practice cutting. Obvi you would want to supervise that activity and use the children's safety scissors.

What about Play-doh? My son also really loved puzzles. They have some fun kinds with magnets and you can use a little pole with a magnet to pull up the pieces.

Idk, my son was always a good self entertainer, but my nephews are complete opposites. They are always asking to watch tv, movies, play video games and when not doing these things they get bored and start fighting. Of course now my son is a little older he gets his fair share of video games, but I have cut way back the amount of tv we watch. It is almost never on except when dh is home. He is a tv junkie and it drives me insane.

I have to say not to take it too hard on parents w/kids and their motor skills lacking. My son never liked coloring, and didn't stay on play doh for long unless he was chucking it all over the floor. He is also developmentally delayed and it was always hard for me feeling my son was behind but not being able to force him to do things to help. So sometimes it is hard to understand the situation people are in. I do appreciate the other ideas though. I never thought to try the cereal necklaces etc, and we did a little bit of painting but not very much of that. So these are good things to try for next child. I also heard letting your child have some scissors and paper to practice cutting. Obvi you would want to supervise that activity and use the children's safety scissors.

Ya, we have some play doh scissors. We have a lot of play doh toys. My son just wasn't interested in it for the longest time. Finally he is just getting to like coloring and play doh etc. I really have to help him getting his handwriting homework done. He is in Kindergarten now, and doing pretty well I think. I have been worried because of his delay, but for the most part he is getting the work done.

Ya, we have some play doh scissors. We have a lot of play doh toys. My son just wasn't interested in it for the longest time. Finally he is just getting to like coloring and play doh etc. I really have to help him getting his handwriting homework done. He is in Kindergarten now, and doing pretty well I think. I have been worried because of his delay, but for the most part he is getting the work done.

My son is 4 and he's taking the new baby idea ok... If he has a sister I know he will be super excited however he keeps telling me he doesn't like brothers. I tell him that's not nice but I am a little concerned if we do have another boy there will be a lot of jealousy issues.

My son was also past the cut-off for preschool so he has to wait until next year because every preschool in my city is full for the 3 year old class. I play outside with him. We play doctor (so I can lay there and be tired and he can play lol) He also watches some tv but only educational programs. He helps me clean, cook, and I give him weekly chores so he feels important and useful. I feel bad sometimes for not having the extra energy to really stimulate him everyday to the fullest but you know I'm not pregnant my whole life and I figure that I feel like I'm doing what I can and this will all be over in 5 more months and you can't be too hard on yourself.

My son is 4 and he's taking the new baby idea ok... If he has a sister I know he will be super excited however he keeps telling me he doesn't like brothers. I tell him that's not nice but I am a little concerned if we do have another boy there will be a lot of jealousy issues.

My son was also past the cut-off for preschool so he has to wait until next year because every preschool in my city is full for the 3 year old class. I play outside with him. We play doctor (so I can lay there and be tired and he can play lol) He also watches some tv but only educational programs. He helps me clean, cook, and I give him weekly chores so he feels important and useful. I feel bad sometimes for not having the extra energy to really stimulate him everyday to the fullest but you know I'm not pregnant my whole life and I figure that I feel like I'm doing what I can and this will all be over in 5 more months and you can't be too hard on yourself.

My son is just about 2 1/2, I work full time and my hubby is a fireman so we rotate who is home with him during the day(I work from home when need be)! Anyway, I go to the craftstore a lot and buy ceramic figures that he paints, he absolutely loves it and is entertained for up to an hour. I also have play doh activities that we do, chalkboard, and we go for walks outside. On rainy days, I usually take him to some kind of store just to run around and burn some energy we also go to the public library. He enjoys helping me clean too, I give him a bounty with a little water and away he goes:)

My son is just about 2 1/2, I work full time and my hubby is a fireman so we rotate who is home with him during the day(I work from home when need be)! Anyway, I go to the craftstore a lot and buy ceramic figures that he paints, he absolutely loves it and is entertained for up to an hour. I also have play doh activities that we do, chalkboard, and we go for walks outside. On rainy days, I usually take him to some kind of store just to run around and burn some energy we also go to the public library. He enjoys helping me clean too, I give him a bounty with a little water and away he goes:)

My DD will be 2 on Friday and she is in love with the idea of baby. She kisses my belly all the time or puts her head on my belly and says "yuv you baby." She's hit me in the belly a few times or jumps on me, and always goes "Sorry baby!" We'll see how in love with baby she is when they arrive, lol. She tells me usually its her baby brother, and sometimes its baby sister, but I'm not sure she really knows the difference, but I may be wrong!

I'm not a SAHM but I find even thouse 3+ hours I get with her at night or on the weekends I can be way too tired to do much with her but we do color a lot, read books, when daddy is home we go to the playground, or when its dark out we go out in the yard and play with flashlights. She does watch more TV but she was never big on TV until recently, so I don't let it bother me. I'll get to be home with her quite a bit the 1st 6 months (through the summer) so I know we'll get out and do more than!

My DD will be 2 on Friday and she is in love with the idea of baby. She kisses my belly all the time or puts her head on my belly and says "yuv you baby." She's hit me in the belly a few times or jumps on me, and always goes "Sorry baby!" We'll see how in love with baby she is when they arrive, lol. She tells me usually its her baby brother, and sometimes its baby sister, but I'm not sure she really knows the difference, but I may be wrong!

I'm not a SAHM but I find even thouse 3+ hours I get with her at night or on the weekends I can be way too tired to do much with her but we do color a lot, read books, when daddy is home we go to the playground, or when its dark out we go out in the yard and play with flashlights. She does watch more TV but she was never big on TV until recently, so I don't let it bother me. I'll get to be home with her quite a bit the 1st 6 months (through the summer) so I know we'll get out and do more than!

I am a SAHM with 3 little kids and twins on the way. My 4 year old DD is in school until 11:30 everyday. My 2 year old DD and 7 month old DS are at home with me all day. I hate to say that we are watching a lot of tv and movies. I get up, get everyone fed and dressed and then try to clean up around the house a little. Then my 4 year old gets home and we have lunch, watch some cartoons, and then it is beloved nap time!!! After naps my DDs usually run around and wreck my poor house for me to clean the next day. lol. Thank goodness that my DS is pretty laid back as long as he isn't teething.

As for knowing about the babies, my 4 year old is amazing about it. She is so happy that I am having twins. She tells everyone "My mommy has twins in her belly. That means two babies, and I want two boys." lol. I just love it. My 2 year old DD is starting to understand. I showed her the u/s pictures and she says "babies" and I tell her that they are in mommy's tummy. She still climbs all over me and kicks me in the stomach. Thank goodness they are well cushioned in there. :)

I am a SAHM with 3 little kids and twins on the way. My 4 year old DD is in school until 11:30 everyday. My 2 year old DD and 7 month old DS are at home with me all day. I hate to say that we are watching a lot of tv and movies. I get up, get everyone fed and dressed and then try to clean up around the house a little. Then my 4 year old gets home and we have lunch, watch some cartoons, and then it is beloved nap time!!! After naps my DDs usually run around and wreck my poor house for me to clean the next day. lol. Thank goodness that my DS is pretty laid back as long as he isn't teething.

As for knowing about the babies, my 4 year old is amazing about it. She is so happy that I am having twins. She tells everyone "My mommy has twins in her belly. That means two babies, and I want two boys." lol. I just love it. My 2 year old DD is starting to understand. I showed her the u/s pictures and she says "babies" and I tell her that they are in mommy's tummy. She still climbs all over me and kicks me in the stomach. Thank goodness they are well cushioned in there. :)

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